[279] : Mika's Respect for Gold Saints—Milo’s Loyalty Pledged

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"What's going on?" Milo murmured, then looked up at Aiolia. "Aiolia, face it. She's the true Athena."

When Mika's [Golden Arrow], imbued with the [Law of Unerring Accuracy]—had struck him, he had been puzzled.

It could have been a fatal blow, yet it had only struck his abdomen, sparing his life.

Milo couldn't understand Mika's intentions.

Then, as he fell to Earth—he saw Athena and Mu.

As Saori healed his wounds, he felt the warmth of her Cosmo—a gentle—benevolent power that resonated deep within his soul.

Milo realized Mika hadn't intended to kill him. He had been spared.

And after hearing Mu's explanation of the events in Sanctuary, and his suspicions about the Pope, Milo, instead of dismissing them outright—had actually 'Considered' them.

This, to his past self, would have been unthinkable.

After all, the Pope's authority—established by generations of Popes and Athena herself, was absolute.

Yet, here he was, questioning it...

After careful consideration, he had chosen to believe Mu and pledged his loyalty to Saori Kido, whose gentle Cosmo couldn't possibly belong to an Evil God.

Although he had never met Athena before, he believed that if another Athena existed, she would be—just like this.

And there couldn't be two identical Cosmos. Therefore, he trusted his instincts.

"You're saying she's Athena?!" Aiolia emerged from the crater, his gaze fixed on Saori, sensing her Cosmo—his face a mask of disbelief.

But he quickly regained his composure.

"What proof do you have, Milo?"

Indeed, while the Gold Saints knew of Athena, they had never met her or sensed her Cosmo. This was why Saga had been so confident in sending them to eliminate her, believing the newly awakened goddess wouldn't be a threat to Gold Saints.

After all, that was how it had always been, according to Sanctuary's secret records, which Saga had access to. He had chosen Milo and Aiolia precisely because of their unwavering sense of justice. Against an enemy they wouldn't hesitate, even if the target was a woman.

They wouldn't even bother with explanations.

——

"Proof? Why does Athena need proof? Isn't her Cosmo enough?" Milo said.

"So you have no actual proof?" Aiolia's gaze was unwavering. He turned to Saori. "If you're truly Athena, then my attack shouldn't harm you. Let me test your—Divinity."

"....."

Milo, Mu, and Aiolos, observing from within Mika's Cloth, were stunned by his audacity.

"He's truly…" Mika shook his head, though he wasn't surprised. He had anticipated such a reaction.

However—within Mika's Cloth—a certain spirit was fuming.

"That conceited brat…!"

"You seem…upset," Mika said, sensing Aiolos's anger.

"Then go punish him yourself."

Mika channeled his Cosmo into the Sagittarius Cloth, empowering the spirit within. The Cloth detached from his body, reassembling in mid-air, as if worn by an unseen presence.

"That's—Brother's Cosmo!" Aiolia exclaimed, recognizing the familiar energy.

While he had sensed a flicker of it within Mika's Atomic Lightspeed Punch—the presence of Mika and Saori's Cosmos had masked it.

Now, however, fueled by Mika's Cosmo and his unique technique, Aiolos's spirit had donned the Gold Cloth, materializing before them.

"I'm going to teach you some respect, you insolent brat!"

With that, he transformed into a golden streak of light, striking Aiolia and dragging him into the nearby forest for a—private conversation.

Mika turned to Mu and Milo. "Long time no see, Master Mu,"

He said with a smile.

Mika had sensed Mu's presence shortly after Aiolia and Milo arrived.

He had been monitoring Sanctuary's activities and, sensing their approach, had followed them discreetly. Mika—after contacting him, had asked him to protect Saori—confident in his own ability to handle the two Gold Saints.

"Indeed, it has been a while," Mu replied, a smile on his face.

With Milo now on their side, and Aiolos's with intervention, he was confident that Aiolia would also eventually see the truth. Their forces were growing. Their chances of reclaiming Sanctuary were increasing.

——

After a brief exchange with Mu, Mika turned his attention to Milo, who was looking at him, a complex mix of emotions in his eyes.

Milo had learned about Mika from Saori and Mu: a former Saint-in-training from Sanctuary who had left and awakened his Cosmo while traveling the world.

He had then encountered Saori and pledged his allegiance to her, eventually achieving the [Seventh Sense] and becoming a Gold Saint-level warrior, his skills honed by Mu and the Sagittarius Gold Cloth itself.

Yet, despite this—Mika's mastery of Cosmo still surpassed his own. And in their earlier battle, he had been injured by Mika's Golden Arrow.

"While we've—met before, this is our first time speaking as—comrades. Therefore, allow me to introduce myself. I am Mika," Mika said with a smile.

"There's no need for formalities. I am merely…the one you defeated," Milo replied, his voice filled with a quiet humility.

Facing Mika—who had steadfastly protected Athena—he couldn't help but feel a sense of…inadequacy.

It wasn't about their difference in strength, but about their roles, their choices.

Milo had attacked Athena, while Mika had defended her. His sense of justice, his guilt over his actions, weighed heavily on him. Until he had atoned, he couldn't truly consider himself Mika's equal.

"Are you angry, Milo?" Mika asked, misunderstanding his humility. He assumed Milo was still upset about being struck by the Golden Arrow.

"Facing both you and Aiolia, even I couldn't have escaped unscathed. Besides, I knew that neither of you would be easily swayed by words, not until you were defeated. That's why I used the [Golden Arrow]." Mika had a deep respect for this generation of Gold Saints.

He remembered the Hades arc—how they had sacrificed themselves to shatter the Wailing Wall, burning their Cosmo and their very lives to create an opening for Seiya and the others. He had been deeply moved by their sacrifice.

"There's no need for formalities, Mika. Compared to your actions, we, deceived by a false Pope, are the ones who need guidance,"

"You did the right thing. I know myself; I wouldn't have listened to reason. And as for the Golden Arrow—I was an assassin, sent to kill Athena. You were only protecting her. Even if you had killed me, I wouldn't have blamed you. In fact, I'm glad you were wearing the Sagittarius Gold Cloth. It was—fitting." Milo said.

Mika smiled inwardly.

As expected of Milo, Mika had chosen to target him, instead of Aiolia, precisely because of his discerning nature and his less impulsive personality.

While he also possessed a strong sense of justice, he was also more analytical, more likely to question authority.

He had likely already sensed something amiss about the Pope, unlike Aiolia, who was still consumed by his brother's perceived betrayal. Therefore, Milo was more likely to be persuaded by Athena and Mu.

In any case, the arrow, and its—consequences, had served their purpose.

Seeing that Milo harbored no resentment, Mika was pleased. He didn't enjoy creating conflict between comrades.

"Then I'll call you Milo."

"As you wish, Mika."

They exchanged smiles, and Mika placed a hand on Milo's shoulder—activating his [Cosmo-Healing].

While Saori had healed his wounds—they hadn't fully recovered. And while all Gold Saints possessed some healing abilities, they weren't specialized healers.

Cosmo—while versatile, was primarily a Destructive force.

After all, Destruction was easier than Creation.

Developing Healing techniques required time and effort, resources they preferred dedicating to honing their combat skills.

Under Mika's touch, Milo's wounds healed completely.

"Thank you, Mika," Milo said gratefully.

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